Global menu

Our global pages

Close
Print Friendly and PDF

Labor law and trade union issues

In today’s global economy, many employers need to deal with a variety of national and international trade unions. These organizations often have different forums for employee representation and operate under widely differing national labor laws.

Now, international employers are coming under increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) and other global labor standards, both in their own operations and at supply chain level. Fortunately, Eversheds Sutherland is on hand to help you chart a course through this constantly evolving area of the law.

Experienced international labor and trade union lawyers

Eversheds Sutherland’s international labor and trade union team has extensive experience and a strong track record in labor and employee relations. We can work with you to manage relationships with national, European and global works councils, to negotiate with national and global trade unions, to proactively respond to ILO and UN labor standards and to build positive employee relations. Our aim is to minimize risk to your business and to help you to avoid disruption caused by damaging labor disputes.

Our experience includes:

  • global labor relations strategy
  • international labor standards, including ILO standards and UN “Ruggie” principles
  • cross-border mass redundancies/layoffs and restructuring
  • cross-border strikes and other industrial action
  • national, global and European works councils
  • global and transnational trade union agreements
  • negotiating with national and global trade union experts
  • collective bargaining agreements and arbitration
  • claims for trade union recognition and election contests
  • the impact of Brexit on global labor relations
  • establishing employee consultation groups

Contact our international labor and trade union team

If you would like any further information or need advice on international labor and trade union law, please contact our legal team.

Contact us

Diane Gilhooley, Partner

  • Global Head of Employment, Labor and Pensions, and Global Co-Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • +44 161 831 8151
  • E-mail Diane Gilhooley

Bernd Pirpamer, Partner

Related services

Choose a country

Select a country to see local services

Print Friendly and PDF

© Eversheds Sutherland 2023. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a global provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities.

Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.